Predictions & Picks, NBA Best Bets for Sunday, November 16
Summary
The Los Angeles Clippers, led by James Harden’s 41-point triple-double, snapped a six-game skid but face the Boston Celtics without Kawhi Leonard. Boston aims for consecutive wins after a dominant performance. Despite both teams’ recent high-scoring games, the prediction favors a lower total, with a best bet on the Under 221 points.
The Sacramento Kings, on a five-game losing streak, face the San Antonio Spurs, who are led by Victor Wembanyama. With the Spurs boasting a strong 8-4 record, the prediction is for them to cover the -5.5 spread. In the late game, the hot-shooting Phoenix Suns host the road-successful Atlanta Hawks. With both teams scoring heavily lately, the best bet is the Over 233.5 points.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Boston Celtics 3:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Clippers | +5 (-110) | +150 | O221 (-110) |
| Celtics | -5 (-110) | -180 | U221 (-110) |
The Clippers finally snapped a 6-game losing streak Friday as James Harden’s 82nd career triple-double led L.A. past Dallas 133-127 in 2OT in the NBA Cup. Harden finished with a season high 41 points, 11 assists and added 14 rebounds while hitting 6-11 from beyond the arc. Center Ivica Zubac added 27 points and 11 rebounds to give the Clippers a much needed win. Kawhi Leonard is still out with injuries which has really hurt this team recently.
Clippers Leaders
James Harden: 25.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists. Additionally, averages 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocked shots.
Ivica Zubac: 16.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocked shots.
John Collins: 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds while hitting 50% from the floor.
The Celtics host the Clippers Sunday afternoon as Boston tries to put together a pair of consecutive wins for the first time in over two weeks. The Celtics have alternated win/loss in the last six – with the most recent game, a 131-95 win over the Grizzlies. Five of the six starters were in double digits for points with Payton Pritchard leading the way with 24. The Celtics never trailed, knocked down 21 3-pointers and led by 38 points.
Celtics Leaders
Jaylen Brown: 27.0 points, 5.1 boards and 4.2 assists per game. (51.6% FG)
Derrick White: 5.5 points, 3.7 boards and 5.2 assists per game (29.2% 3-pointers)
Payton Pritchard: 15.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists per contest
Prediction
Both teams are coming off huge offensive performances scoring over 130 points in their last wins. But overall, L.A. and Boston are in the bottom 8 overall for points scored. The Celtics are actually number two when it comes to defense allowing just 108.5 PPG. With those stats in mind, this game should be a lower scoring game. BEST BET: UNDER 221
Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs 4:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Kings | +5.5 (-110) | +180 | O237.5 (-110) |
| Spurs | -5.5 (-110) | -220 | U237.5 (-110) |
The Kings head to San Antonio on a five-game losing streak while the Spurs have lost two in a row after winning three straight. San Antonio lost a close one Friday as Stephen Curry poured in 49 points to give the Warriors a 1-point win over the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 38 minutes. Sacramento held the Timberwolves in check through three quarters Friday before being outscored 32-19 in the fourth to lose 124-110.
The Kings remain the second worst defensive team giving up 124.5 per game while the Spurs are tops when it comes to allowing blocks, an NBA best, 3.5 a game.
Team Stats
(SA) Victor Wembanyama: 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.6 blocks (first in league) per game.
(SA) Stephon Castle: 18.4 points, 7.8 assists and 6.3 rebounds.
(SAC) Domantas Sabonis: 17.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest. (51.1% FG)
(SAC) Zach LaVine: 24.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 43% from 3-point range.
Prediction
The Kings aren’t very good, just 3-10 on the season while the Spurs (8-4) continue to show they can be elite in the West. As long as Wemby does his thing, the Spurs should win and cover. BEST BET: Spurs -5.5
Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns 8:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Hawks | -1.5 (-110) | -120 | O233.5 (-110) |
| Suns | +1.5 (-110) | +100 | U233.5 (-110) |
The Hawks have been soaring of late winning four straight, including three in a row on the road while the Suns are scorching as well, winners of 5 consecutive games and Phoenix is 6-1 at home.
Atlanta has been deadly away from home going 6-2 on the road and is 5-3 ATS. The Hawks sit seventh in the NBA allowing 113.4 PPG and ranking in the top-10 in several defensive categories. And they’ve been doing it with key players including Trae Young (knee), and Nikola Durisic (elbow).Â
Hawks Recent Stats
| Statistic | Average | Ranking |
| Points Scored | 117.1 | 17 |
| Points Allowed | 113.4 | 7 |
| Rebounds | 42.7 | 21 |
| Assists | 30.1 | 3 |
| Steals | 10.2 | 3 |
| Blocks | 5.5 | 7 |
The Suns continue to be led by Devin Booker who is averaging 28.5 PPG, 7 assists, both team highs while Mark Williams has been a beast on the glass with nearly 9 boards a game. Phoenix is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league ranking #5 at 38.5% and averages 16 made treys per game.
INJURIES: Suns: Grayson Allen: day to day (quadriceps), Mark Williams: day to day (injury management), Jalen Green: out (hamstring).
Prediction
These teams can run and gun when they want and the Hawks have put up 132 and 133 points in their last two wins while the Suns have scored at least 121 in each of the last three, all wins. All signs point to a no-defense type of game, so let’s take the over. BEST BET: OVER 233.5
